Knights of Columbus to dedicate monument honoring veterans at Great Lakes National Cemetery

A draft version of the monument to be presented by Knights of Columbus Michigan District II to Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly honoring veterans of all wars. The ceremony takes place Sunday, Nov. 10. Courtesy Neal Roche

HOLLY, MI – The Knights of Columbus plan just before Veterans Day to give a monument to Great Lakes National Cemetery honoring veterans of all wars.

A ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 10, at 1:30 p.m. at
Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Road in Holly, in the back end of the cemetery near the bell
tower. The event is open to the public.

"It's for every veteran that's ever served and ever will
serve and is currently serving," said Neal Roche, faithful navigator of Knights
of Columbus Assembly 510 in Burton. "It's a small token of saying thank you to
them."

Careful not to release full details before it is presented,
Roche said the monument is made of a glossy, black stone imported from India
and will be adorned with military insignia and American flags.

"It's fully colorized," he said.

Roche said the 155th Detachment of the Marine Corps League of
Flint will be in attendance, and the ceremony will include a taps
performance.

The idea to dedicate the monument was brought up at a
Knights of Columbus meeting in Burton more than three years ago by Frank Doherty, a past
Knights of Columbus member, Roche said. Roche worked with Knights members Tony and James Dryfuse
and Leonard Accardo on a committee to bring the idea to life.

Roche said the monument holds special meaning because of the
government shutdown, which may affect veterans receiving disability and pension
pay and has resulted in the closing of Department of Veterans Affairs regional
offices and the furlough of some 7,000 employees across the country.